Putting template

ABSTRACT

A golf training device includes a template. The template has a passageway in it to receive a golf ball, and at least one hole on each side of the template to receive a golf tee or similar structure. The golf tee on each side of the passageway creates a boundary through which a putter can pass and strike the golf ball in the passageway.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to golf training equipment, and in an embodiment, but not by way of limitation, a putting template.

BACKGROUND

Golfers are always trying to improve their putting, as evidenced by new putter designs that come onto the market on a regular basis, and the many different putters a typical golfer will try during a season or a lifetime. However, despite the multitude of putters and other devices available, the art is still in need of a device that will increase the putting proficiency of a golfer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top planar view of an example embodiment of a putting template.

FIG. 2 is a top planar view of an example embodiment of the putting template of FIG. 1 with a golf ball positioned therein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the putting template of FIG. 1 with a golf ball positioned in the template and golf tees positioned in holes in the template to secure the template to a surface and to form a passageway for the club head of a golf club.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention, although different, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described herein in connection with one embodiment may be implemented within other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the location or arrangement of individual elements within each disclosed embodiment may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, appropriately interpreted, along with the full range of equivalents to which the claims are entitled. In the drawings, like numerals refer to the same or similar functionality throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a putting template 100. The putting template 100 is a substantially flat plate-like apparatus that can be made out of any material including wood (including cardboard and paper), metals, plastics, and any other suitable material. The template 100 of FIG. 1 is generally square or rectangular, but other shapes can work also. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, which is generally rectangular, a hole 110 is positioned in each of the four corners of the device. In another embodiment, the hole 110 is absent from the template 100. In an embodiment, the holes 110 are sized so that an ordinary golf tee can be inserted through the holes 110 to secure the template 100 to a surface such as a practice putting green. The template 110 includes a passageway 120. The passageway 120 has a point 140. The passageway 120 is for receiving an ordinary golf ball. The template 100 further includes additional holes 130. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the holes 130 are positioned on both sides of the passageway 120, and like the holes 110 in the corners of the template 100, can be sized to receive an ordinary golf tee. Additionally, while FIG. 1 illustrates the holes 130 in a V-shape, those of skill in the art will realize that other patterns can be used for the holes 130. The template 100 can be manufactured out of two halves, such that it can fold in half along the line 150 and can be easily stored in a golfer's golf bag or other container. The template 100 can also be a single section non-folding template.

The template 100 can be used to improve a golfer's putting as follows. The template 100 is secured to a surface, such as a practice putting green, by inserting ordinary golf tees or other fasteners through the holes 110 into the surface. Alternatively, the template 100 can simply be placed on the surface. The passageway 120, point 140, and line 150 should be aligned with the target. The target could be a golf hole on a putting green, or some other spot on the putting green that is away from the target in order to account for any undulations and resulting break in the green. After aligning and securing the template 100 to the putting surface, two golf tees or other devices are placed in the holes 130 on each side of the passageway 120. It is preferable that the tees be placed in the holes 130 such that there is just ample room for a putter head to pass through the tees. After placing the tees in the holes 130, a ball 160 is placed in the passageway 120, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and the golfer executes the putting stroke so that the putter head passes through the guide tees and strikes the ball squarely, thereby causing the ball to go in a straight line towards the target. FIG. 3 illustrates the template 100 of FIG. 1 with a golf ball 160 positioned therein and tees 175 to secure the template 100 to a surface and tees 180 to form a passageway for a head of a golf club 170 to pass through.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In Example 1, a golf stroke training device includes a template, a passageway in the template, two or more first holes in the template wherein the two or more first holes are positioned next to the passageway, and one or more second holes in proximity to an edge of the template.

In Example 2, the embodiment of Example 1 optionally includes a training device wherein the template includes a first section and a second section, such that the template can be folded.

In Example 3, the embodiments of Examples 1-2 optionally include a training device wherein the passageway is longitudinal and straddles a dividing line between the first section and the second section.

In Example 4, the embodiments of Examples 1-3 optionally include a training device wherein each of the first holes located in the first section has a corresponding first hole in the second section.

In Example 5, the embodiments of Examples 1-4 optionally include a training device wherein the corresponding first holes in the second section form a mirror image of the first holes in the first section.

In Example 6, the embodiments of Examples 1-5 optionally include a training device wherein each of the first holes in the first section and the corresponding first holes in the second section form a different width.

In Example 7, the embodiments of Examples 1-6 optionally include a training device wherein the passageway is configured to receive a golf ball.

In Example 8, the embodiments of Examples 1-7 optionally include a training device wherein the one or more second holes and the two or more first holes are configured to receive one or more golf tees.

In Example 9, the embodiments of Examples 1-8 optionally include a training device wherein each of the one or more second holes are positioned by a corner of the template.

In Example 10, a golf training device includes a template, a passageway in the template, and two or more first holes in the template, the two or more first holes positioned next to the passageway.

In Example 11, the embodiment of Example 10 optionally includes a training device wherein the passageway is configured to receive a golf ball.

In Example 12, the embodiments of Examples 10-11 optionally include a training device including one or more second holes positioned in proximity to an edge of the template.

In Example 13, the embodiments of Examples 10-12 optionally include a training device wherein the two or more first holes and the one or more second holes are configured to receive one or more golf tees.

In Example 14, the embodiments of Examples 10-13 optionally include a training device wherein each of the one or more second holes are positioned by a corner of the template.

In Example 15, the embodiments of Examples 11-14 optionally include a training device wherein the template includes a first section and a second section, such that the template can be folded.

In Example 16, the embodiments of Examples 10-15 optionally include a training device wherein the passageway is longitudinal, and the passageway straddles a dividing line between the first section and the second section.

In Example 17, the embodiments of Examples 10-16 optionally include a training device wherein each of the first holes located in the first section has a corresponding first hole in the second section.

In Example 18, the embodiments of Examples 10-17 optionally include a training device wherein the corresponding first holes in the second section form a mirror image of the first holes in the first section.

In Example 19, the embodiments of Examples 10-18 optionally include a training device wherein each of the first holes in the first section and the corresponding first holes in the second section form a different width.

In Example 20, a golf training device includes a four-cornered template, a hole at one or more of the four corners of the template, a longitudinal passageway in the template, and one or more holes on a first side of the passageway and one or more holes on a second side of the passageway.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

In the foregoing description of the embodiments, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate example embodiment. 

1. A golf training device comprising: a template; a passageway in the template, the passageway comprising a cut out portion of the template forming an open end in the template; a first pair of first holes, with a first hole of the first pair positioned on a first side of the passageway and a second hole of the first pair positioned on a second side of the passageway, wherein a first distance separates the first hole of the first pair and the second hole of the first pair; a second pair of first holes, with a first hole of the second pair positioned on the first side of the passageway and a second hole of the second pair positioned on the second side of the passageway, wherein a second distance separates the first hole of the second pair and the second hole of the second pair; wherein the first distance and second distance are not equal; wherein an imaginary line connecting the first hole of the first pair and the second hole of the first pair is substantially perpendicular to the passageway; wherein an imaginary line connecting the first hole of the second pair and the second hole of the second pair is substantially perpendicular to the passageway; and wherein the first hole of the first pair, the second hole of the first pair, the first hole of the second pair, and the second hole of the second pair are different holes; and one or more second holes in proximity to an edge of the template.
 2. The golf training device of claim 1, wherein the template comprises a first section and a second section, such that the template can be folded.
 3. The golf training device of claim 2, wherein the passageway is longitudinal, and the passageway straddles a dividing line between the first section and the second section.
 4. The golf training device according to claim 2, wherein each of the first holes located in the first section has a corresponding first hole in the second section.
 5. The golf training device of claim 4, wherein the corresponding first holes in the second section form a mirror image of the first holes in the first section.
 6. The golf training device of claim 5, wherein each of the first holes in the first section and the corresponding first holes in the second section form a different distance between the first hole in the first section and the corresponding first hole in the second section width.
 7. The golf training device of claim 1, wherein the passageway is configured to receive a golf ball.
 8. The golf training device of claim 1, wherein the one or more second holes and the first pair of first holes and the second pair of first holes are configured to receive one or more golf tees.
 9. The golf training device of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more second holes are positioned by a corner of the template.
 10. A golf training device comprising: a template; a passageway in the template, the passageway comprising a cut out portion of the template forming an open end in the template; and a first pair of first holes, with a first hole of the first pair positioned on a first side of the passageway and a second hole of the first pair positioned on a second side of the passageway. wherein a first distance separates the first hole of the first pair and the second hole of the first pair; a second pair of first holes, with a first hole of the second pair positioned on the first side of the passageway and a second hole of the second pair positioned on the second side of the passageway, wherein a second distance separates the first hole of the second pair and the second hole of the second pair; wherein the first distance and second distance are not equal; wherein an imaginary line connecting the first hole of the first pair and the second hole of the first pair is substantially perpendicular to the passageway; wherein an imaginary line connecting the first hole of the second pair and the second hole of the second pair is substantially perpendicular to the passageway; and wherein the first hole of the first pair, the second hole of the first pair, the first hole of the second pair, and the second hole of the second pair are different holes.
 11. The golf training device of claim 10, wherein the passageway is configured to receive a golf ball.
 12. The golf training device of claim 10, comprising one or more second holes positioned in proximity to an edge of the template.
 13. The golf training device of claim 12, wherein the two or more first holes and the one or more second holes are configured to receive one or more golf tees.
 14. The golf training device of claim 12, wherein each of the one or more second holes are positioned by a corner of the template.
 15. The golf training device of claim 10, wherein the template comprises a first section and a second section, such that the template can be folded.
 16. The golf training device of claim 15, wherein the passageway is longitudinal, and the passageway straddles a dividing line between the first section and the second section.
 17. The golf training device of claim 15, wherein each of the first holes located in the first section has a corresponding first hole in the second section.
 18. The golf training device of claim 16, wherein the corresponding first holes in the second section form a mirror image of the first holes in the first section.
 19. The golf training device of claim 18, wherein each of the first holes in the first section and the corresponding first holes in the second section form a different distance between the first hole in the first section and the corresponding first hole in the second section.
 20. A golf training device comprising: a template; a longitudinal passageway in the template, the passageway comprising a cut out portion of the template forming an open end in the template; and a plurality of holes on a first side of the passageway and a plurality of corresponding holes on a second side of the passageway; wherein the plurality of holes are sized to receive a golf tee such that about fifty per cent or more of the golf tee protrudes from the template when placed in a hole; and wherein each hole on the first side of the passageway and its corresponding hole on the second side of the passageway form a distance that is unique among distances between the plurality of holes on the first side of the passageway and the corresponding holes on the second side of the passageway. 